17. Welcome obstacles.

18. Get perspective.

Take the time and effort to step back, reexamine your assumptions, and find truths that you missed before.

19. Appreciate being alive.

Never neglect to marvel at the miracle of conscious existence, which is all too soon over.

20. Relax more often.

Spend at least one hour every day doing something that’s just because you enjoy doing it.

21. Experience wonder.

Take pleasure in the unexpected and unusual because without them life would be tedious and boring.

22. Be playful.

The joy of a child still lives inside you; let that child out at least once each day.

23. Give thanks.

Experience deep gratitude for all the wonderful things in your life: family, friends, work, and play.

Getting and keeping motivated puts you in control of your actions and your career, thereby lessening stress. Even implementing a handful of these changes can have a major effect on your health and your attitude.

Geoffrey James is a veteran business journalist who now writes a daily column for Inc.com. His latest book, Business Without the Bullsh*t: 49 Secrets and Shortcuts You Need to Know“, won the following praise from Publishers Weekly: “The author’s pithy and frank style matches his title…a quick, impactful primer for anyone wanting to be more effective on the job.”

This is an article contributed to Young Upstarts and published or republished here with permission. All rights of this work belong to the authors named in the article above.